Chapter Sixty-Four - Trying out that Stealth Stuff


    Chapter Sixty-Four - Trying out that Stealth Stuff


    You cant just lay down and expect someone higher up the chain to notice.


    You need to make noise. To make yourself heard. To participate in the political machine.


    --M. Breaker, political activist during a street interview before the 2027 Minimumwage Protest Bombings


    ***


    Burringhams meet and greet thing was held in a large city square set in the middle of one of those fatter, more squat skyscrapers that had bridges leading to all the other buildings around it. The square was partially open above, with a ring of glass panels over the centre of the square.


    An entire squads worth of heavy-looking military trucks were hovering around the square, roof-mounted guns tracking any vehicle that came even a little too close.


    It looked like Burringham wasnt cheaping out on his security. Couldnt blame him there.


    I moved down below the building with the square, then found a parking garage a few floors over where I left my hovercycle before taking off.


    I had to navigate my way up a few floors, then across a couple of bridges. I wasnt the only one heading that way. The majority of the foot traffic I encountered were heading the same way.


    When I arrived at the square proper, I had to stop and take it in. There were small stores lining the edges, with ads plastered all over them, but for the most part the square acted like something of an open space. There were real trees in large planters with benches around them, and the ground was covered in large flagstones. It felt almost like we were outside instead of within the topmost floor of a stubby building, larger skyscrapers towering out above.


    Some fuckery with holographics painted the sky on the windows above as blue and only a little cloudy, instead of the constant grey and drizzly they were in reality.


    The square might have been meant as a peaceful place for upper-middles to walk around in and meet up. I could imagine some older folk doing tai-chi or something here, but right then and there the place was packed.


    The centre of the square had a spot where a campaign bus was parked, and behind that was a light hover tank, barrel pointing high to remind people not to fuck around.


    Thats where Burringham was, in a little island of peace, surrounded by guards and hovering fence-posts. A few armed dog-robots were sitting nearby too.


    A line of people stretched out from where Burringham was all the way back to the entrance, snaking around little guiding signs all the way. Just normal-looking folk who passed through some security checkbox then filed into the line.


    At the end they shook Burringhams hand, maybe spoke a word or two to him, then they were encouraged to move on by one of Burringhams guards. He smiled the entire time.


    Great, I muttered under my breath. If I got into line now, it might only take an hour for me to reach Burringham. The security around him looked pretty tight too. They might give me a pass, and if I poked at Burringham and asked him for help, hed certainly let me get closer, but that would mean that I had to ask him for help, for permission basically, just to get close to him.Fo?llo?w new stories at novelhall.com


    That left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.


    I think Ill stay like this, I said. I didnt need to give him even more good press. Look, I had some time on my hands, so I poked at the Hitman Cooperative. One thing led to another, and we know who paid to have you shot. Or at least who greenlit the payment, they might have been tricked, or just approved of a payment set up by someone else.


    Who are your suspects? he asked. I can have my own security look over them, if you want. It would narrow it down, so far we have nothing.


    I nodded. Myalis, you got that list?


    Sending now!


    Burringham blinked as he received the list. His brows drew together, then he started to turn around, towards his secretary. He stopped mid-turn. Really? he asked.


    Surprised? I asked.


    Obviously, he snapped. I didnt expect to have paid for my own assassination. Damnit, I invested a few million into that side company, of my own money. It wasnt meant to be used to shoot me.


    Well, it worked, as far as I can tell. I gestured to the crowd, then realized he couldnt see it. Youre looking pretty popular this afternoon.


    Im on the news. We both are. Itll pass in a day, maybe two, but I wanted to capitalize on it while I could. Prove Im in good health for the constituents.


    Right, I said. Look, I dont know how much more time I can spend on this investigation thing.


    No, no, youve done a lot already. I have some good security, and you just gave them a great lead. Ill look into it some more. By the way, youll want to see this. he gestured, and I received a text from his Aug-line.


    It had a compressed folder that I opened and eyed up. What is it? I asked. A few of the files there had familiar names. I saw my own, and Lucys name too.


    Thats from child protective services. Someones pressuring them to do something about your... ah, orphanage-like situation.


    I closed my fist. Oh yeah? I asked.


    I wouldnt worry overly much, its something we can get rid of without too much trouble. Though, to be perfectly honest, you might want to cut out some of their arguments at the knees, if you can.


    Yeah, yeah, Ill see about it, I said. On that note, Im off. Good luck, Burringham. Dont get shot again.


    Ah, thank you, Stray Cat, he said.


    By the time I found a spot to sneak out of the cordon from, a lot more guards were moving around, and some were tossing flour on the floor, of all things. Cute.


    ***